Curiosity tosses an aliquot of sand sample, sol 1228

NASA / JPL / MSSS / Emily Lakdawalla

Curiosity tosses an aliquot of sand sample, sol 1228

On sol 1228, Curiosity used the 1-millimeter sieve for the first time, and prepared a sample of sand that had passed through the 1-millimeter sieve but not the 150-micrometer sieve. The process generates a carefully measured portion, or aliquot, for delivery to the SAM instrument. In this animation, the scoop is being tipped back and forth to tumble the sample, allowing Curiosity's engineers to visually inspect it. Note the two sieves stacked on top of each other at the top of the image.